By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
そう思います is used when expressing one’s thoughts, opinions, or feelings about something. It translates to “I think that” or “I feel that” in English. This construction is used to show that the speaker is expressing their personal belief, impression, or opinion about a situation or event.
Structure:
- Verb (plain form) + そう思います
- Adjective (plain form) + そう思います
- Noun + だ + そう思います
The structure is flexible, allowing for verbs, adjectives, and nouns to be used before そう思います, depending on the context of the sentence. It is polite and commonly used in both formal and informal conversations.
💡 Example Sentences
- これは簡単だと思います。
I think this is easy. - 明日は晴れると思います。
I think it will be sunny tomorrow. - 彼は本当にいい人だと思います。
I think he is a really good person. - この映画は面白いと思います。
I think this movie is interesting. - 日本語は難しいと思います。
I think Japanese is difficult.
📝 Grammar Notes
- そう思います is used to express subjective thoughts or feelings. It is commonly used when the speaker wants to share their impression or belief.
- This construction can be used in various contexts, from daily conversations to formal discussions.
- In casual speech, it is possible to use the plain form without ます (i.e., 思う). For example: 簡単だと思う.
- When using adjectives or nouns, remember to use the appropriate form, such as the plain form of adjectives or “だ” for nouns.
- This expression does not imply certainty; it just represents the speaker’s opinion or thought.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of そう思います
- この問題は________。
- 彼女はとても優しい________。
- 明日の天気は良い________。
✔ Sample Answers:
- この問題は簡単だと思います。
- 彼女はとても優しいと思います。
- 明日の天気は良いと思います。
2. Translate into Japanese
- I think the book is interesting.
- She seems to be happy, I think.
- I believe this restaurant is good.
✔ Sample Answers:
- その本は面白いと思います。
- 彼女は幸せだと思います。
- このレストランは良いと思います。
📚 Vocabulary List
- 簡単（かんたん） – easy
- 晴れる（はれる） – to be sunny
- 映画（えいが） – movie
- 面白い（おもしろい） – interesting
- 難しい（むずかしい） – difficult
- 優しい（やさしい） – kind
- 本（ほん） – book
- 天気（てんき） – weather
🈷 Kanji List
- 簡（かん） – easy
- 晴（は） – sunny
- 映画（えいが） – movie
- 面（めん） – surface, aspect (in 面白い)
- 難（むず） – difficult
- 優（やさ） – kind, gentle
🔗 Related Grammar
- 〜と思う – I think (plain form, used in casual speech)
- 〜かもしれない – might, may (used to express uncertainty)
- 〜ということだ – it seems that, I heard that (reported speech)
🧠 Summary
- Meaning: I think that / I feel that (used to express thoughts, opinions, or feelings)
- Usage: Used to express subjective opinions or beliefs about something.
- Level: JLPT N5
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
